Putin Praises Trump’s ‘Energetic, Sincere’ Efforts for Ukraine Peace Deal/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russian President Vladimir Putin praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s “energetic and sincere” efforts to end the war in Ukraine ahead of their summit in Alaska. Trump said the meeting has a 25% chance of failure but could lead to a future three-way meeting with Ukraine’s leader. European allies and Kyiv are pushing to ensure any deal protects Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Trump-Putin Summit Quick Looks
- Putin praises U.S. efforts to broker Ukraine peace
- Alaska summit scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15, starting 11:30 a.m. local time
- Trump sees a 25% chance the meeting could fail
- Possibility of follow-up summit including Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy
- European leaders worry about exclusion from U.S.-Russia talks
- Starmer, Macron emphasize Ukraine’s territorial integrity must be upheld
- Coalition of the willing seeks U.S. security backing for Ukraine
- Ukrainians express skepticism about peace prospects
- Russia and Ukraine conduct prisoner exchange of 84 people each
- New strikes reported in Ukraine’s Sumy region and Russia’s Rostov-on-Don
Deep Look: Putin Praises Trump Ahead of Alaska Summit Focused on Ukraine
LONDON — On the eve of a pivotal U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly commended U.S. President Donald Trump for his “energetic and sincere” attempts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
In a Kremlin-released video following a meeting with senior Russian officials, Putin suggested that the summit could lay the groundwork for “long-term conditions of peace” between the two countries, in Europe, and globally. He also floated the possibility of incorporating nuclear arms control agreements into any broader peace framework.
Trump’s Expectations and Summit Agenda
Trump, speaking in a Fox News radio interview, put the chances of summit failure at 25% but said a successful meeting could lead to a subsequent three-way summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He left open the possibility of extending his stay in Alaska depending on how talks unfold.
The Kremlin says the summit will begin at 11:30 a.m. local time with a one-on-one session, followed by delegation-level talks and a “working breakfast.” While Kremlin officials confirmed plans for a joint press conference, Trump contradicted this, saying no decision had been made.
Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said the discussions would include Ukraine, nuclear arms control, and the “huge untapped potential” for U.S.-Russia economic cooperation.
European and Ukrainian Concerns
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted Zelenskyy in London Thursday, underscoring Britain’s support ahead of the Alaska talks. The meeting followed a virtual conference on Wednesday where Trump assured European leaders and Zelenskyy that achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine would be a priority.
Trump has warned of “very severe consequences” for Russia if Putin refuses to end hostilities, but European leaders remain concerned the U.S.-Russia talks could result in a deal cementing Russian territorial gains.
Starmer and other leaders in the “coalition of the willing” — nations prepared to help enforce a future peace agreement — stressed that any ceasefire must protect Ukraine’s territorial integrity. “International borders cannot be, and must not be changed by force,” Starmer said.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump reiterated that NATO should not be part of any security guarantees for Ukraine but confirmed the U.S. and willing allies should participate.
Skepticism Inside Ukraine
Despite the high-level diplomacy, many Ukrainians doubt the summit will deliver meaningful progress. “We’ve already lost hope,” said Kyiv resident Oleksandra Kozlova. “There have been enough meetings and promises. Nothing changes.”
Others, like car salesman Anton Vyshniak, prioritized saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers even if that meant territorial concessions.
“Borders are borders, but human lives are priceless,” he said.
Continued Fighting and Prisoner Exchange
Amid diplomatic efforts, fighting persisted. Zelenskyy announced the release of 84 Ukrainian detainees from Russian captivity, including civilians and soldiers captured as far back as 2014. Russia confirmed it had received 84 of its own troops in the exchange.
Overnight strikes in Ukraine’s Sumy region injured multiple civilians, including a 7-year-old girl. In Russia’s Rostov-on-Don, a Ukrainian drone attack damaged apartment buildings, wounding 13 people. Two were hospitalized in serious condition.
What’s at Stake
The Alaska summit is the first U.S.-Russia leader meeting since June 2021 and comes at a critical juncture in the war, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
While Putin’s praise signals a potential opening, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has cautioned against expecting breakthroughs, warning it would be a “big mistake” to predict outcomes. The uncertainty over even basic details of the meeting underscores how much remains unsettled as the two leaders prepare to meet face-to-face.
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